Range Of Motion Exercises
As the disease ALS progresses, patients begin to experience weakness and eventually complete loss of active muscle control or paralysis. As this loss of muscle control takes place, it is crucial to keep the patient’s extremities moving in order to prevent muscle tightness and joint stiffness. This tightness may result in pain and discomfort to the patient as well as decreased function. Avoidance of this is accomplished through performing range of motion exercises. These can be performed whether the patient is able to assist (active range of motion) or unable to assist (passive range of motion). When the patient is still able, they should perform these activities several times a day. When the patient’s disease progresses to the point that they are unable to perform these, the exercises should be done for them by a caretaker 1-2 times a day. The pictures provided demonstrate examples of passive range of motion exercises: upper body and lower body.

One major complication of any disease that affects the patient's ability to move is the development of decubitus ulcers or "bed sores". These sores can be very painful and tend to develop at bony areas such as heels, sacrum (low back), elbows, shoulders and back of head. Bed sores can be avoided by "floating" or elevating these areas with the use of pillows. Several pillows may be necessary in order to make the patient comfortable.